Defencemen Kulak, Wilson still with the squad after cutdown day
Newbies eager to make the grade
Light, thanks to a handful of moves, was finally shed on the Calgary Flames’ blueline.
Brett Kulak, for one, was basking in it.
“It’s awesome,” Kulak, 21, said after Friday’s dryland workout at the Saddledome. “I’ll probably take the rest of the day, call my family, let them know I survived another round of cuts. But before I go to bed, I’ll wash (the accomplishment) away and start preparing for a new day.
“It’s a step closer to being on the team opening night.”
Given his first pro season — a sizable portion spent with ECHL Colorado (a demoralizing stint during which he contemplated returning to junior) — Kulak’s ascension is remarkable.
Last winter’s challenges, looking back, were a necessary part of his growth.
“My maturity off the ice, it’s led into my game on the ice,” said Kulak, a fourth-round pick in 2012. “Just with the ups and downs … that was a big year for my career. It’s a year I had to go through. It was really humbling and it taught me a whole new work ethic.
“If no one else is believing in you … at the end of the day it’s you who’s going to make it. It’s not what people say about you. It’s the work that you put in.”
Also beaming Friday? Ryan Wilson.
Barely active in 2014-15 — a fouled-up shoulder (and subsequent surgery) limited him to three dates — he wrangled a camp invitation out of the Flames.
Armed with a professional tryout offer, he arrived with no guarantees. It’s October — he’s still in Calgary. “That’s a good thing,” said Wilson, 28, who has not signed a deal yet. “There’s got to be more stress (performing with only a PTO). You’re fighting for a spot. Every year you go to camp with a contract, other guys want your spot. It’s kind of role reversal right now. It’s new to me, but I accepted the challenge.
“I’ve just got to keep working and try to stick around.”
NOT STICKING AROUND
Defencemen Patrick Sieloff, Jakub Nakladal, Kenney Morrison, Tyler Wotherspoon are bound for Stockton.
Right-winger Garnet Hathaway is also on his way to the American Hockey League.
Centre Drew Shore has been exposed to waivers. Meaning if he clears, he’s eligible to join Stockton.
The blueline, in particular, had presented an appealingly wideopen audition.
With Ladislav Smid recovering from neck surgery, with T.J. Brodie sidelined by a broken hand, two jobs were available — No. 6 (on the third pairing with right-handed Deryk Engelland) and No. 7.
The Flames, it would seem, have settled on their rearguard group, which includes lefties Wilson and Kulak. For now anyway.
“Many things can happen in our business,” said coach Bob Hartley, “so you’re never safe as we all know. You always have to compete, you always have to be ready. On our side, the evaluation process will keep going on … it’s not because we get to the (season opener) Oct. 7 that the evaluation process ends. It’s ongoing.”
According to Kulak, it’s his own-zone bearing that made the difference this camp. “(That) has helped me get to this point,” said the Stony Plain native, six- foot- two, 190 pounds. “(Hartley) always says, if you can’t play defence, you can’t play for his team. That’s a big area where I’ve had to improve. I think I’ve done that and he’s been happy.”
Happy enough to dispute Kulak’s status — at least in the public eye — of being a main-camp long-shot.
“Maybe because he started last year in the East Coach league makes him, for you guys, a dark horse,” Hartley said to reporters. “For us, it’s how you get to camp. Your fitness results. Then your performance on the ice. Your performances in practices, games. Overall performances. And we evaluate those guys every day. I’m very proud for Brett because he’s a great young man.
“I think he deserves it — same thing for Ryan Wilson.”
Wilson, hampered by injuries, is eager to kick-start an NHL career that had stalled at 230 appearances — all on behalf of the Colorado Avalanche. He’s a stay-at-home defender, who exhibits an edge. The Flames, apparently, are in the market for that.
“I’m definitely proud of what I’ve done so far,” said Wilson, six-foot-one, 207 pounds. “But there’s still some work to be done. You’ve got to keep putting one foot in front of the other …
“Throughout last year I didn’t play much, so my goal coming in was making sure I’m getting better every day, learning the systems, learning how to play their game. I think I’ve done a pretty good job of that.”
I’m definitely proud of what I’ve done so far. But there’s still some work to be done.